In the Skaneateles School District, things are beginning to feel normal again.

Hundreds of students made the return for full time in-person learning on Monday.

“School is really starting to come back that was the vibrant feel we had in the Laker way,” said Skaneateles High School Principal Gregory Santoro. “It was great.”

Students in grades 8 through 11 were the last to make to transition. Kindergarten through 7th-grade students started the school year full time and seniors went full time last month. Once the county reduced social distancing requirements to three feet, the school prepared for the remaining students to come back.

“This was the largest volume of students returning at once,” said Skaneateles Central School District Superintendent Eric Knuth. “Some of the logistical challenges and space challenges and the traffic flow of human beings throughout a building. This was the biggest adjustment that we’ve had to make all at once so far.”

The school focused on figuring out transportation, bringing back more desks, and arranging the cafeteria to bring back the last group of students. Anticipating a chance for a full classroom, the middle school started the year on a schedule that made the transition easier.

“The decision to have our students return on an A-K, L-Z model where all of the classrooms were designed for the opportunity for a possible return,” said Skaneateles Middle School Principal Mike Caraccio.

Making sure the guidelines are being followed will also be more difficult but teachers say students have adjusted well. With all the grades doing school full time, staff said the biggest changes will be the social and educational aspects.

“We’re looking at the next few months and even to next year about culture rebuilding," Santoro said. "What is going to be our new norm? Because we’ve been away from school for a while. This is something we need to get back, roll up our sleeves, and tell ourselves what is the culture going to be like at Skaneteles schools?”

There are about 1,300 students in the district and the superintendent said more than 90 percent of students are back full time.